Rafael Nadal racquet from Australian Tennis Museum collection up for auction

Rafael Nadal's championship point winning racquet from his 2007 French Open Final victory over Roger Federer is up for auction. It is expected to achieve $150,000, with bidding currently open online until 28th January.

The historic racquet was previously housed in the Australian Tennis Museum, as part of eight-time Grand Slam winner and Australian Tennis legend Ken Rosewall's personal collection. The reported recent closure of the museum has allowed collectors and fans this opportunity. 

The Museum which was located at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre, was established in 1983 by a group of tennis enthusiasts who wished to preserve the history of Australian tennis. The museum boasted a nationally significant collection that encompassed various elements of Australian Tennis.

The Museum site is now reportedly occupied by a gym.

The Australian Tennis Museum was closed temporarily in 2020 for what was described at the time as an opportunity for the museum to undertake a major consolidation of its collection.  The collection holds over 7,000 items including a nationally significant clothing collection with items designed by Ted Tinling.

The collection also included 60% of Rosewall’s prized heirlooms. The 88-year-old Rosewall won 147 titles including eight grand slams during a 25-year career.

However, with the Museum reportedly now permanently closed, and rather than have his prized possessions placed permanently in storage, Rosewall advised back in October 2023 that it was now time to farewell a lifetime of memorabilia.

The auctioning of 400 of Rosewall’s iconic items including trophies, prizes and other memorabilia from his career commenced in October 2023 and now in January 2024 includes the auctioning of the Rafael Nadal's championship point winning racquet.

A coveted Resolution Photomatch certificate accompanies the racquet, forensically confirming that it was the very racquet which won the championship point. The racquet was also used by Nadal in previous matches of the tournament, including during victories against Novak Djokovic and Carlos Moya.

In addition to Nadal's 2007 French Open racket, the current auction features additional memorabilia from Rosewall along with that of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Bidding for Nadal’s racquet is currently open online at PrestigeMemorabilia.com until 28th January.

Tennis Australia has not responded to a request about the current status of the Museum.

Images: Rafael Nadal's championship point winning racquet from his 2007 French Open Final victory over Roger Federer, in custom framing (top) and Ken Rosewall unveiling the completed $50.5 million upgrade to the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre in December 2019 (below)..